MIT students help with computers and IT skills in schools

In a unique arrangement, Manukau
Institute of Technology students are helping the trust which
delivers computers and digital technology to children in
Auckland’s oldest state housing community.

The
Manaiakalani Education Trust works with nine decile one
schools in Glen Innes, Pt England and Panmure.

It
provides a wide range of digital resources, tools and
advice, with the aim of inspiring students and improving
their overall school experience and results.

Manaiakalani
has a huge database of government, philanthropic, business
and community partnerships, but keeping up with bookwork was
starting to become overwhelming for the small team.

“We
managed everything via spreadsheets and email, so it was no
surprise that we were feeling there must be a better way,”
says Manaiakalani Education Trust executive officer Jenny
Oxley.

Business consultancy Davanti have a close
relationship with the trust and was also looking for a way
to provide mentoring and work experience opportunities for
MIT students.

MIT Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS)
students Simon Wilkinson, Renuka Sharma and Nicole Marcelo,
under supervision from Edwina Mistry MIT’s Project
Supervisor, were charged with delivering a customer
relationship management (CRM) tool that would make life
easier for the trust.

Each student put in a minimum of 450
hours work as part of the project, which is a requirement to
complete the BIS degree. They produced a tailored CRM system
that the Manaiakalani Education Trust is thrilled with. For
example, the trust’s debt collection process now takes one
hour, as opposed to three days.

“Working with MIT
students, under the guidance of Raymond Yong and Phillipa
Wallace from Davanti Consulting, really helped determine our
business requirements and to see how we could bring a much
higher level of efficiency and professionalism into our
operations,” Ms Oxley says.

Trust chairman Pat Snedden
was impressed with the Davanti’s willingness to bring in
the MIT students.

“I salute the Davanti team for their
willingness to champion this initiative and for their
generosity in sharing their knowledge and skills to such an
extent. We are delighted with what has been achieved and the
difference it will make to our work,” Mr Snedden
says.

MIT student Simon Wilkinson says it was a privilege
to work on a project of such importance to the
community.

“Manaiakalani are achieving huge educational
results for these kids. It was motivating to help make their
systems more manageable, leaving them time to do the good
work,” Simon says.

Davanti Principal Robert Carter says
the project provided a rewarding way for its people to
partner with the trust to improve employment outcomes for
children, as well as providing mentoring opportunities for
MIT students.

“It was great to be able to make our
business knowledge and expertise available to the trust, as
well as provide the MIT students with an opportunity to
participate in a project that taught them new skills and
helped them transfer their academic learnings into the real
business world,” said Mr Carter.
ends

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